New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-05
HILLS BOSWELL
AN EXCELLENT EDITION.

AN EXCELLENT EDITION.
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prs Few- Vera: Macmillan Co.
Sarn., .Jcbuson's pride In his university and
his college would have been grstihed by the
hnowielge that the one would publish and O
member Of the other edit this sumptuously
printed and carefully prepared edition OF bis LIE
by boswell. Nothing could be handsomer IN
Typography and paper. OF the Illustrations IL
10 not possible TO speak with the same admiration.
They mostly process reproductions, ana IL
seems that the more photogravure is experimental
with and improved by fresh patents, the
more strange and CHASTITY its results are liable
to be. The old fashioned copper-plst line ana
stipple engraving and etching are al reaiy
superior TO anything the modern processes have
here achieved, and to our thinking they are
much more in accord with the subject ana the
work No man hated shams and make-befeves
more heartily and thoroughly than Johnson
and il seems . pity that he shouM not have
been given solid art work in this otherwise mag
nifceht and mesitorious edition. The liustra-
tons however constitute but an ins'snihcant
feature In the publication. OF the EDITORS iahors
IL is difficult to speak too highly, ulougn
Poswell has had several good editors. Mecauiays
tremendous attack upon Croker no doubt pro-
duced In many minds the belief that Crokers
edition was worthless. But Dr. INV, wh'e
agreeing in many II not most Of Macaniay's
structures, and while expressing his own opinion
that Croker was a shallow man OF no deep read
ing is constrained TO admit that he has been
much indebted 10 his predecessor. Nevertheless
IL IL true as Macaulsy charged, that Croker
took wholly incxcusablc liberties with his text.
Much might he pard0ned him for the errors Oh
his notes, but no possible justification can 90
found for his prcsnmptuous mntilatlon OF hos
we'll and his attempts at correction and emenda-
ton The helps he gave to his successor con-
sisted In the bringing OF some special knowledge
derived from connections concerning Johnson
time and contemporaries. This matter Is cer-
tainly of value, for it is precisely the fuhd Oh
information which Ms time passes becomes more
precious because of tie increasing d herences
between the separated epochs. Undoubtedly III
was easier to understand Boswell without notes
sixty years ago than 10 ever will he again.
rpdoubtedIy. also, notes become more indispen-
sa,le, and require to be fuller, as time passes
and probably few men have been better fitted
for the worl, of annexation and editing than Dr.
Birkbeex Hin.
Indirectly to the study of Johnson, but having
entered upon it the subject speedily possessed
him. So full was he of it that being requested
IN write n two column review of a new edition
of Boswell (Napier's) be read the whole OF the
six volumes through, and says be does not think
he omitted so much as line. Evidently spee'ni
enthusiasm is needed for such deeds, and the
devotion which has gone to the accomplishment
of DIR. Hits work is manifested in many con-
elusive ways. His preparatory studies must have
been deep and far reaching. Samuel johnson
was q man Of wide reading, not only for bis
own but for any period. ms conVersauoW'
flights were all-embraeiDg There are lew sue
iects of any general interest upon which he
did not discourse during the year when Bosweiis
tablets were busy Both he and his biographcr
moreover were fond of quotation, and both were
wont to take for granted their hearers or readers
familiarity with the sources of their citations.
Boswell indeed takes credit to himself for serupu-
lous verfcation of all the quotations used oy
the doctor but he refers especially to the poetcai
quotations. In the easy talk OF the tavern or
the fireside many illusions were made continually
which, while perfectly ineligible at the time,
have become more or less obscure 10 all but
the students OF the eighteenth century. To the
calculation of all such obscuritics DR.. Tin has
addressed himself, and the multitude OF recondite
topics and references thus illuminated demon
strates the zeal and thoroughness with which lac
has discharged his editorial function.
1t is indeed good advice that he gives in his
preface, to follow Johnsons own recommendation
regarding the reading of Shakespeare. There
is so massive a. common-scnse in the passage that
we shall not apologize for introducing it. Says
johnson: LET him that is yet unacquainted
with the powers of Shakespeare, and who desires
to feel the highest pleasure that the drama can
give read every play from the first scene To the
last with utter negligence of all his commcnta
tors. When his fancy is once on the wing let
II not stoop at correction or explanation. When
his attention is strongly engaged let it disdain
alike TO turn aside to the name Of 1hcobald or
of Pope. Let him read on through brightness
and obscurity, through integrity and corruption;
let him preserve his comprehension Of the
dialogue and his INTEREST," the fable. And when
the pleasures of novelty have ceased let him
attempt exactncss and read the commentators
That is a good way to read Boswell, and he can
certainly be thoroughly enjoyed as he comes
from the hands Of Malone. But whose desires
to grasp Johnson's time, to i've his life over,
TO understand his associates as we'll as himself,
to get the due sense of proportion in the picture,
win have, hacking time for independent research,
70 put himself in the hands Of the commentators.
OF this Croker, with all his special equipments,
is least to he depended upon. In the honesty
and integrity Of DIR. Birkbeck Hill full trust
may, on the contrary, be placed, and besides,
and this is of Importance. his judgment is clear
and sound.
Nowhere is 1t more strongly exhibited than
In his estimate Of Boswell. Nothing in the
history OF literature is mere curious than the
position accorded this biographer. The writer
of the best biography extant in any language has
been admitted to questionable fame upon suffer
ence. Though every man who has reached years
Of discretion can count upon the fingers OF
both hands notorious instances Of bad biography,
though in very recent days it has been proved